Hat-blocking machine



March 24, 1931. MART|N 1,797,832

HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l gvvomtoz LouisMarzz'n March 24, 1931.

L. MARTIN HAT BLOCK ING MACHINE Filed Jqne 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3W WLozzzs Marzzzz.

Filed June 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Law's ,Marzzkz.

March 24, 1931. j M Fm'N 1,797,832

HAT BLOCKING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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c lwveni oz :Louzls Marzz'n Patented Mar. 24, 1931 T FICE LOUIS MARTIN,0F ANACORTES, WASHINGTON HAT-BLOCKING MACHINE Application filed June 6,

lVly invention relates toan improvement in hat blocking machines of thegeneral type shown in the patent to N. A. Sorens on, No.

1,598,023. This invention is particularly directed to the means forcontrolling the positioning of the shims.

Such a machine involves the employment of a rotatable and segmental headblock, the segments being separable to permit the inlO sertion betweenthem o1"- shims of selected sizes, whereby the head size of the blockmay be changed. Here, as in the Sorenson patent, these shims arearranged in sets, one corresponding to-each gap between segments, and

' the complete set is rotatablewvith the head block, Means are providedwhich E shall term an actuator, which, while it is rotate .able with thehead block, is fixed with relation to the shifting movement of the setof shims,-.so that it will engage at will any one of the shims in itsset, to move the selected shim into position between the separatedsegments of the head block. I Ordinarily, such an actuator and the shimare toothed, andthe teeth, because of the peculiarity of conformation ofthe head block, and because of the difference in size and weight of theseveral shims, may not be keptin exact alinement it the shims are notguided or supported in some manner, hence it is necessary to providesome means for bringing these teeth or like engaging means, on thevarious shims, into exact position for engagement with the correspondingteeth, or like members, of the actuator, when in position to be engagedtherewith, so that a the actuator may move the shims into positionbetween the segments.

My principal object, then, .is to provide means for supporting, guiding,and engaging the shims, so as to bring them into proper position withrespect to their actuator when about to be engaged therewith.

Generally speaking, then, it-is my object to provide means forcontrolling the position of the shims, in association with such arotatable head block.

It will be understood that the head block is in general elliptical, (andsuch head blocks are normally made infour segments, separable along themajor and minor axes of such an 1928. Serial No. 283,361.

ellipse. It will be understood that the shims which are movable intoposition between the segments, must travel different distances that isto say, those which fit into the minor axis would have a somewhatgreater distance to travel, if moved from the position they wouldnaturally assume under the influence of gravity, than the shims whichmove into the major axis.

Consequently, it is an object to provide means whereby the severalshuns, those which are intended to fit into the major and those whichare intended to fit into the minor axis, will, by starting at differentpositions, reach their ultimate positions between the segments at thesame time and with the same movement of the actuating means. 7

Among other objects, it is my object to provide a simple and convenientmeans for con trolling the movement of shims employed, and especiallythe point from which their movement is started, in association with sucha machine as that in the Sorenson patent referred to above, and all madewith standard gear teeth.

My invention comprises the novel parts and the novel combination andarrangement thereof, such as is shown in the accompanying drawings,described in the specification, and as will be more particularly definedby the claims which terminate the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention in a form whichis now preferred by me.

Figure 1 is a general view of a typical machine embodying myimprovement.

Figure 2 is an elevation, with parts broken away, illustrating the headblock, the shims, and the shim rest means.

Figure 3 is an axial sect-ion through the head block and the shimsupporting means.

Figure 4 is a section substantially onthe line 4+4 of Figure 3, partsabove this line being omitted.

The machine comprises a head block, generally designated by the numeral1, and divided into segments 10, which are separable along planes ofseparation which coincide with'planes through the major and minor axesof the ellipse formed by the outline of the head block 1.

The outline of the block is indicated by the dot and dash line H ofFigure 4. This head block is suitably sup ported for rotation and forseparation, as by guide sleeves 11, integral with the segments notshown).

The shims 8 are arranged in sets, one set corresponding to each of thegaps between segments. They must rotate with the head blocleand to thatend are supported upon guide rods 80, which are positioned at rightangles to the planes of separation between the various segments. Thesets of shims are shift-able, each longitudinally of its guide rod 30,to bring any selected shim in the set into position for movement intothe corresponding gaps between segments. To support the guide rod 30 andthe shims 3, any suitable means may be employed, and I have illustratedthe spider 31, secured upon the shaft 2.

For shifting the sets of shims all the shims of each set may be suitablymounted upon a sleeve 32, which sleeve is directly slidable upon itsguide rod 30, and the movement of this sleeve and the set of shims iscontrolled by some suitable means, such as the ratchet lever 33, havinga dog 34 enga'geable in the notches 35 of the rod 30, to exactlyposition a selected shim. The several sets of shims may be connected forsimultaneous movement by some such means as the spider 86, rotatableupon the sha t 2, and connected to each of the sleeves 32 (see Figure 4)hence but one ratchet lever 33 is necessary. All of this construction isold, as shown in the Sorenson patent, and forms no part of my invention.

Similarly, the means for actuating the shims is similar to that shown inthe Sorenson patent, and comprises a toothed actuator 4 for each set ofshims, these several actuators being pivotally supported at 40 upon acollar t1, fixed upon the shaft 2, and the several actuators beingconnected for simultaneous actuation by a spider t2, pivoted at as tothe individual actuators, which spider l2is rotatable with but movableaxially of the shaft 2 by anysuitable means (not shown); Each I of theseactuators 4, therefore, is rotatable with the head block, but is fixedwith respect to the shifting movement of its set of shims, so that inshifting the shims they are moved past the actuator which correspondsthereto, each shim in the set coming in turn into engagement with theactuator. The shims are shown as provided with teeth 37, which mesh withthe teeth of the corresponding actuator 4. These teeth are standard gearteeth, and if the shims in a set do not all hang down at the same anglethese teeth will not be in align ment.

It will be noted that the shims 3 are of a peculiar hooklike shape tocorrespond to the contour of the head block into which they fit. Some ofthese are of considerably greater width, or thickness, than others, andconse quently of greater weight, and owing to their peculiar shape theseshims would, if permitted to hang free, depend in such position that theteeth 37 of the various shims of a set would not be in alignment. Thisdifficulty has been met with in the Sorenson machine, wherein it wasfound necessary to use teeth which permitted considerable lost motion,and which, therefore, did not bring the sev eral segments into finalposition properly nor uniformly. In order to cause the teeth 3?, as theyapproach the actuator 4, to come into position for exact alignment andmeshing therewith, I have provided a shim rest means, which, as shownhere, consists of a ring 5 supported upon the shaft 2 and rotatabletherewith. Inasmuch as there are four gaps between segments and fouractuators 4, each correspendin g to its respective gap, there need bebut four points on the'ring 5 which need to be axactly positioned, butfor a purpose which will appear hereafter, I prefer to make the ring 5elliptical, and to position it so that its major axis is at right anglesto the major axis of the head block, as indicated in Figure 4.

It is essential that the shims in the several sets be so moved as tobring their tips to the center of the head block at precisely the sametime, so that no provision need to be made for lost movement in theactuating means for any shim. Considering the tips of the shims whichfit within the minor axis of the head block; it will be seen that ifthese shims were permitted to hang down their tips would not be the samedistance from the axis of the shaft 2 as the tips of those shims whichare to fill the gap in the major axis of the head block, for the reasonthat the bent portions of the latter are somewhat longer than the bentportions of the former, and somewhat heavier, and hence would gravitateto a different position of rest. If all were to be moved simultaneouslyfrom such position as they would naturally assume, the tips of theshorter shims, those which fill the gaps in the minor axis of the headblock, would arrive first, having the shorter actual distance to travel.To compensate for this, then, and to shorten the distance which thelonger shims, those which fill the minor axis, must travel, the shimrest 5 is made elliptical and so placed that its major axis is at rightangles to the major axis of the head block. This gives the shims whichfill the minor axis of the head block a little lead on the otherarea-see shims, sufficient to make their tips all arrive at the axis ofthe head block at the same time, with a'given movement of the actuatorl.

Thus, the shim rest 5 accomplishes two ends. It keeps the teeth 37 inalignment with the teeth of the actuator 4, or at least brings the teeth37 into position to mesh exactly with those of the actuator, and inaddition, the shim rest 5 causes the shims to be positionedautomatically in such fashion that upon simultaneous movement of all theactuators through a given distance, the shims themselves will movethrough a given distance and arrive at their ultimate position all atthe same time.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a segmental head block,means for separating the segments, an actuator member corresponding toand fixed relative to each gap between segments, means for moving all ofsaid actuators simultaneously, a plurality of sets of size-changingshims, one for each gap, and shiftable past each gap and thecorresponding actuator, to engage a selected and corresponding shim ineach set with its actuator, to be moved thereby into position betweenthe separated segments, and means for positively positioning each shimin each set, as it approaches its actuator, for exact engagementtherewith.

2. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotatable segmental headblock, means for separating the segments, a plurality of actuators, onecorresponding to and Xed relative to each gap between segments, and allrotatable with the head block, means for moving all of said actuatorssimultaneously, a plurality of sets of size-changing shims rotatablewith the head block, one set for each gap, and shiftable past its gapand the correspondingactuator, to engage the several actuators each witha selected and corresponding shim in each set, to move the selectedshims into operative position, and means engageable with said shims, andspaced fromits support, to position each shim in each set, as itapproaches its actuator, into position for exact engagement therewith.

3. In a hat blocking machine, in combina tion, a rotatable head blockhaving a major and a minor axis, and formed of segments separable alongsuch axes, means for separating the segments, a plurality of actuators,one corresponding to and fixed relative to each gap between segments,and all rotatable with the head block, a plurality of sets of swinging,pivotally mounted, size-changing shims rotatable with the head block,one set for each gap, and shiftable past its gap and the correspondingactuator, to engage the several actuators each with a selected andcorresponding shim in each set, means for moving all the actuatorssimultaneously to move the selected shims into operative position, and

means rotatable with the head block, and continuously engaged by'saidshims, to position swing, with theswinging ends of those shims whichwill occupy the minor axis.

4. Inwa hat blodking machine, in combination with a segmental headblock, a plurality eftoothed actuators,-one:fior each gap betweensegments, :a :pliurality of sets of size-changing shims, one set foreach gap, reach of said shims having teeth engageable with'thecorresponding atztuatonmeans for shiftingthe sets of shims transverselyotits actuator .and g-ap, to bring-any selected shimpiai each set, intoen.- gagement with its actuator, and .a shim rest ring engaging andguiding the several shims, as they .areshitted while in inoperativeposition, to b rmg the teeth of the several indie id,- ual shims of asetinto exact alignment with the teeth of the lcornesporiding actuator,

5.- The xeombination'of l, the head 'bloclribeing elliptical and theshim rest heing li kewise elliptical, but with its major axis at right.angliesto the major axis of the head block.

-76, In a hat blocking machine, in Eco, bination, a rotative shaft, asegmental head'hlock supported thereon and rotatable therewith, meansfor separating the segments, a shim support rotatable with the shafit.and head block, :a plurality of sets of shims, one for each gap betweensegments, supported on said shim support, each set of shim-s eomprisinga plurality of shimsof different sizes, means for shiftingthe sets ofshims relative to the orresponding gaps between segments, t ring aselected shim in each set opposite its gap, an actuator for each'set ofshimsrotatahle with the shaft; and block, but fixedrelativeto'themovement of the shims lin shifting, and p s tioned to engage a selectedshim to move it into the gap between segments, and a shim rest rotatablewith the shaft and block, and

engaging the shims to position each shim, as it approaches itsactuatoryfor exact engagement thereby.

7. In a hat blocking machine, in combina tion, a rotative shaft, asegmental head block supported thereon and rotatable therewith, meansfor separating the segments, a shim supporting guide rod extendingnormal to each plane of separation of the segments, and rotatabletherewith, a set of shims of diiferent sizes slidable along each of saidguide rods,to bring a selected shim in each set in position to enter itscorresponding gap between segments, an actuator for each set of shimsrotatable with the shaft and block, but fixed rel ative to the movementof the shims in shifting, and positioned to engage a selected shim tomove it into the gap between segments,

and a shim rest rotatable with the shaft and block, and engaging theshims to position each shim, as it approaches its actuator, for exactengagement therewith.

8. In a hat blocking machine, in combination, a rotativeshaft, asegmental head block supported thereon and rotatable therewith, meansfor separating the segments, a shim supporting guide rod extendingnormal to each plane of separation of the segments, and rotatabletherewith, a set of toothed shims of difierent sizes shiftable upon eachof said shim supports, to bring a selected shim in each set intoposition .to enter its corresponding gap between segments, a pluralityof toothed actuators, each adapted to mesh with any selected shim in itscorresponding set,

said actuators being rotatable with the shaft and block, but fixedrelative to the movement of'the shims in shifting, and means engageablewith the shims to position them, as each approaches its actuator inshifting, for exact meshing of their teeth with the actuator teeth.

9. In a hat blocking machine, in combination with a head block having amajor and a minor axis, and formed of segments separable along suchaxes, a plurality of actuators, one for each gap between segments, aplurality of sets of pivotally mounted size-changing shims, one set foreach gap, each of said shims having teeth engageable with thecorresponding actuator, means for shifting each set of shimstransversely of its actuator and gap, to bring any selected shim, ineach set, into engagement with its actuator, means for swinging theseveral selected shims simultaneously into the gaps between segments ofthe block, and means for adjusting the starting point of the ends of thevarious shims in their several paths of movement, to complete suchmovements simultaneously into operative po sition in their respectivegaps. p

v Signed at Anacortes, Skagit County, State of Washington, this 26th dayof May, 1928. LOUIS MARTIN.

